Michelle Holland wants the parks and environment committee to pursue the designation — essentially a public commitment to “creating sustainable pollinator habitats.”

If approved by city council, it would make Toronto the first Canadian Bee City.

“It’s these really essential parts of our ecosystem that keep our world the way that it is,” she said Thursday. “And bees may seem like they’re not important but they are under attack.”

The Scarborough Southwest (Ward 35) councillor argued that the pollinator-friendly city label will help bees, birds, insects, and other pollinators in the region.

At least 15 cities south of the border currently have the “Bee City” designations including Garden City, Idaho, Ypsilanti, Mich., and Seattle, Wash.

According to the Bee City U.S.A. website, pollinators are essential for plant reproduction. Bee City U.S.A. claims that one in every three bites of food can be credited to insect pollination.

The website also worryingly notes that American honey bee populations are decreasing at an alarming annual rate of 30% or more.

Holland’s letter to next Thursday’s parks committee meeting stresses that there is no financial burden tied to the Bee City designation, and that city programs are already at work on protecting pollinators from further decline.